04/03/2012 01:00 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Oversight Hearing: Southeast Transportation Plan | |
| HB115 | |
| HJR4 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HB 115 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HJR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 3, 2012
1:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Albert Kookesh, Chair
Senator Joe Thomas, Vice Chair
Senator Dennis Egan
Senator Linda Menard
Senator Charlie Huggins
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERSIGHT HEARING: SOUTHEAST TRANSPORTATION PLAN
- HEARD
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 115(TRA)
"An Act designating a portion of Minnesota Drive and a portion
of O'Malley Road in Anchorage the Walter J. Hickel Expressway."
- MOVED CSHB 115(TRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4(RLS)
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska
creating a transportation infrastructure fund.
- MOVED CSHJR 4(RLS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 115
SHORT TITLE: NAMING WALTER J. HICKEL EXPRESSWAY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JOHNSON
01/21/11 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/21/11 (H) TRA, FIN
04/14/11 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
04/14/11 (H) Moved CSHB 115(TRA) Out of Committee
04/14/11 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
04/15/11 (H) TRA RPT CS(TRA) NT 4DP
04/15/11 (H) DP: FEIGE, GRUENBERG, MUNOZ, PRUITT
03/21/12 (H) FIN RPT CS(TRA) NT 11DP
03/21/12 (H) DP: FAIRCLOUGH, GARA, T.WILSON,
GUTTENBERG, JOULE, COSTELLO, NEUMAN,
EDGMON,
03/21/12 (H) DOOGAN, STOLTZE, THOMAS
03/21/12 (H) FIN AT 9:00 AM HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/21/12 (H) Moved CSHB 115(TRA) Out of Committee
03/21/12 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
03/28/12 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/28/12 (H) VERSION: CSHB 115(TRA)
03/30/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/30/12 (S) TRA, FIN
04/03/12 (S) TRA AT 1:00 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: HJR 4
SHORT TITLE: CONST. AM: TRANSPORTATION FUND
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) P.WILSON, THOMPSON
01/18/11 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/11
01/18/11 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/11 (H) TRA, JUD, FIN
02/15/11 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
02/15/11 (H) Heard & Held
02/15/11 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
02/17/11 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
02/17/11 (H) Heard & Held
02/17/11 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
02/24/11 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
02/24/11 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/08/11 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
03/08/11 (H) Moved CSHJR 4(TRA) Out of Committee
03/08/11 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
03/09/11 (H) TRA RPT CS(TRA) 6DP 1NR
03/09/11 (H) DP: JOHNSON, FEIGE, PRUITT, MUNOZ,
PETERSEN, P.WILSON
03/09/11 (H) NR: GRUENBERG
03/25/11 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
03/25/11 (H) Heard & Held
03/25/11 (H) MINUTE(JUD)
04/08/11 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
04/08/11 (H) -- Rescheduled to 4/9/11 @ 12:30 pm --
04/09/11 (H) JUD RPT CS(TRA) 3DP 1DNP 3NR
04/09/11 (H) DP: LYNN, THOMPSON, PRUITT
04/09/11 (H) DNP: GRUENBERG
04/09/11 (H) NR: KELLER, HOLMES, GATTO
04/09/11 (H) JUD AT 12:30 AM CAPITOL 120
04/09/11 (H) -- Rescheduled from 4/8/11 --
04/12/11 (H) FIN AT 8:30 AM HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/12/11 (H) Heard & Held; Assigned to a
Subcommittee
04/12/11 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
04/12/11 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/12/11 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/02/12 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/02/12 (H) Moved CSHJR 4(FIN) Out of Committee
03/02/12 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
03/05/12 (H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) 4DP 6NR
03/05/12 (H) DP: FAIRCLOUGH, T.WILSON, DOOGAN,
THOMAS
03/05/12 (H) NR: GARA, GUTTENBERG, JOULE, NEUMAN,
EDGMON, STOLTZE
03/13/12 (H) RLS AT 4:00 PM CAPITOL 120
03/13/12 (H) Moved CSHJR 4(RLS) Out of Committee
03/13/12 (H) MINUTE(RLS)
03/23/12 (H) RLS RPT CS(RLS) 1DP 1DNP 4NR
03/23/12 (H) DP: JOHNSON
03/23/12 (H) DNP: GRUENBERG
03/23/12 (H) NR: CHENAULT, OLSON, AUSTERMAN, TUCK
03/23/12 (H) RETURNED TO RLS COMMITTEE
03/30/12 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/30/12 (H) VERSION: CSHJR 4(RLS)
04/02/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/02/12 (S) TRA, FIN
04/03/12 (S) TRA AT 1:00 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
MIKE KORSMO, Past-Chair
Marine Transportation Board (MTAB)
Skagway, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on the
Southeast Transportation Plan (SETP).
MARC LUIKEN, Commissioner
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Southeast Transportation Plan (SETP).
AL CLOUGH, Southeast Regional Director
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: testified during the presentation of the
Southeast Transportation Plan (SETP).
MIKE NEUSSL, Deputy Commissioner
Marine Operations
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation of the
Southeast Transportation Plan (SETP).
YASMINE HABASH, Staff
Representative Craig Johnson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the HB 115 on behalf of the
sponsor.
KIRK WICKERSHAM, representing himself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 115.
REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY WILSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HJR 4.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:01:06 PM
CHAIR ALBERT KOOKESH called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:01 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Egan, Menard, Huggins, and Chair Kookesh.
^Oversight Hearing: Southeast Transportation Plan
1:01:27 PM
Chair Kookesh announced that the first order of business would
be a presentation by the Marine Transportation Advisory Board.
MIKE KORSMO, Past-Chair, Marine Transportation Advisory Board
(MTAB), testified during the hearing on the Southeast
Transportation Plan (SETP). He spoke of the role of the Alaska
Marine Highway and MTAB in developing regional transportation.
He discussed MTAB and its role of advising the administration
regarding transportation plans dealing with a marine component.
He noted that the SETP was controversial and had been a target
in the past. He opined that the past two SETP's did not meet
their objectives. He said MTAB members have had input on the
latest SETP. He stated that MTAB's role is to be a conduit
between the public and agencies. He gave credit to Cathie
Roemmich, former MTAB chair, for her great job doing public
outreach. He noted that Robert Venables is the current MTAB
chair.
He referred to a document in members' packets showing MTAB's
current recommendations and legislative priorities. Some of the
recommendations include a mainline ferry service out of
Bellingham or Prince Rupert, a cross-Gulf service up to Prince
William Sound with service twice a month to the Aleutian Chain.
He credited the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) for doing an
incredible job the last few years. He also stated support for
additional Alaska class ferries and road links.
He listed some legislative priorities, such as funding AMHS at
current levels, Alaska class ferry construction, new engines for
the Columbia, fast ferry maintenance, and annual appropriations
for the Marine Highway fund.
1:07:23 PM
MR. KORSMO addressed concerns regarding SETP. One of the
concerns was regarding the Alternative Five route, or Highway
Route 7. It is a route that begins in Prince Rupert, ferry to
Ketchikan, ferry to Prince of Wales Island, drive the road
system across Prince of Wales Island, and ferry to Wrangell and
Petersburg. He said there were five shuttle ferry segments and
five road segments and four border crossings. The system is used
by the military to get from Washington to the Interior. There
are concerns about Highway Route 7 becoming the preferred route.
He listed the concerns: problems if one of the links becomes
unusable, loss of revenue to communities, expense of tickets,
loss of federal transportation dollars. Currently, about 40
percent of the passengers are "walk on's" without cars to drive
the road segments.
1:10:59 PM
MR. KORSMO continued by providing an example of a school athlete
missing more school by having to use Highway Route 7.
He concluded that MTAB supports mainline ferry service.
SENATOR KOOKESH also voiced concern about Highway Route 7. He
asked what role MTAB has with AMHS.
MR. KORSMO replied that MTAB becomes involved before the draft
of the plan would go out to the public. The last two SETP's have
not come to fruition. He hoped the final draft would contain
MTAB's suggestions.
SENATOR KOOKESH suggested that MTAB should be more than an
advisory board to AMHS.
MR. KORSMO said the intent of the legislation was that MTAB
become a board that assists in marine highway planning.
SENATOR KOOKESH stated that he would watch the process to see if
MTAB's recommendations are considered by AMHS.
SENATOR EGAN asked if Mr. Korsmo was representing himself and if
MTAB supports SETP.
MR. KORSMO noted that he was representing MTAB and it supports
SETP's objectives; the plan is still in draft form.
1:17:04 PM
MARC LUIKEN, Commissioner, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOTPF), testified during the presentation of
the Southeast Transportation Plan (SETP). He began with
introductions of Al Clough and Captain Mike Neussl. He shared
DOTPF's strategic plan, which is to get Alaska moving through
service and infrastructure and to expand Alaska's transportation
system. He quoted a national report, which said that 84 percent
of the nation's economy is dependent on transportation, which
creates access and drives the economy in the nation and in
Alaska.
COMMISSIONER LUIKEN clarified that DOTPF is early in the process
of developing SETP. The first version of the plan is a scoping
document, to "scope" or obtain input from the public. He
described the process of taking alternatives from the 2004 plan
as the basis for conceptual ideas for the new SETP, eventually
settling on a preferred alternative. There are five concepts, or
alternatives, from the 2004 plan being considered. The concept
of Route 7 was one of the five.
He continued to describe the process of developing SETP. Ideas
gained from public outreach will be used to develop the plan.
1:24:07 PM
COMMISSIONER LUIKEN read a quote from the scoping document that
shows that the ideas are not defined and are to be used to move
forward with the plan. He said, "None of the preliminary
alternatives presented here is expected to be carried into the
revised plan, let alone become the preferred alternative,
without significant changes, with the exception of the baseline
and the no-action alternatives."
COMMISSIONER LUIKEN discussed transportation challenges, which
are due to Alaska's geography, costs, and resources. He showed
two charts, one depicting the passenger miles by modes and the
other, costs of maintenance and operations statewide. He listed
specific events that had an impact on the state's transportation
system: the Good Friday Earthquake in 1964, the 1967 floods in
Fairbanks, the National Environmental Protection Act of 1970,
and other national policies that make transportation more
expensive. He discussed the limited amount of resources
available to DOTPF.
COMMISSIONER LUIKEN discussed opportunities: to plan beyond 20
years, to create efficient systems, and to develop roads to
resources. It is the department's job to look at opportunities
to create a plan to carry transportation into the future. It
should try not to get stuck on projects, but rather focus on a
vision. The vision entails that "road lengths should be built
where appropriate and possible in order to shorten ferry runs
and create an efficient transportation system."
He addressed developing roads to resources. He pointed out that
the state's wealth is in getting resources to market. He
highlighted the governor's policy of roads to resources. He
noted the importance of airports because 82 percent of Alaskan
communities are connected by airports.
He provided information about a recently published AMHS
analysis. He related that the department has made a commitment
to Alaskans that there would be ferry service to rural
communities in Southeast and Southwest Alaska. He emphasized
that AMHS is a not-for-profit system, so ways must be found to
keep costs down. He concluded that the aforementioned are the
tools the department is using to develop the SETP.
1:30:59 PM
AL CLOUGH, Southeast Regional Director, Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities, testified during the
presentation of the Southeast Transportation Plan (SETP). He
shared his history traveling and working on the Alaska Marine
Highway. He related information on SETP, which he called a guide
to help DOT move into the future. Federal Highways requires that
the state maintain and update a multi-mobile regional
transportation plan.
He addressed the current status of SATP. Last summer DOT began
scoping or public outreach on the alternatives. He stated that
he fully expects the alternatives to change during the process.
He stated the purpose of the plan, which is to provide travel
among communities in Southeast Alaska to meet basic needs and to
support local and regional economy by providing the most
financially sustainable transportation system that resources
permit.
1:35:08 PM
MR. CLOUGH addressed important issues related to SETP: use
capital funding efficiently, optimize the fleet, maintain or
improve regional mobility, connect Southeast communities, and
reduce the system's annual expense.
MR. CLOUGH explained the process used to develop SETP. The
scoping plan was made available to the public over a period of
six weeks. Currently, the planning staff is aggregating public
comments and developing the draft plan. That plan will then go
out to the public, feedback will be accepted, and a final plan
will be written in the fall of 2012 or early 2013.
1:39:11 PM
MR. CLOUGH listed the six scoping alternatives: maintain the
existing system, exercise capacity management with the ferry
system, maximize the use of existing roads, build Alaska class
ferries, develop Highway Route 7, and take no action. He pointed
out that the Route 7 idea is only one model, a concept, and not
a draft plan.
1:41:14 PM
MR. CLOUGH offered to provide information about Route 7.
SENATOR KOOKESH declined to hear that plan.
SENATOR EGAN thanked the presenters.
SENATOR HUGGINS questioned the term "shoot at".
MR. CLOUGH replied that he should have said "comment
thoughtfully on."
SENATOR KOOKESH asked when the draft plan review would be done.
MR. CLOUGH thought it would be out in June. He recalled all the
work done so far.
1:43:49 PM
MIKE NEUSSL, Deputy Commissioner, Marine Operations, Department
of Transportation and Public Facilities, testified during the
presentation of the Southeast Transportation Plan (SETP). He
stated that the AMHS has a good working relationship with the
MTAB. He recalled receiving good suggestions from MTAB and
acting upon them. He also said he has a good relationship with
Southeast Region.
MR. NEUSSL addressed the AMHS tariff structure. He said there is
no prescribed formula for setting tariffs. The Alaska
Administrative code provides guidance but assigns that
responsibility to the commissioner of DOTPF. He described the
process that addresses tariffs, which have been set over many
years by various administrations.
SENATOR KOOKESH asked who does the ferry schedules.
MR. NEUSSL explained how the schedules are drafted. He said he
does not have a tariff expert on staff.
He addressed the Alaska Class Ferry (ACF). Only one ACF has been
authorized and funded so far. There was talk of a second and
possibly third to fill certain routes and replace aging vessels.
The Tustumena, which is of the same vintage as the rest of the
current fleet, will be replaced shortly and cannot be replaced
by an ACF.
MR. NEUSSL discussed the vehicle replacement fund which was
created by AS 37.05.55. It is a legislative function to
appropriated funds or interest into the fund. He related that
the $120 million recently appropriated will go toward the first
ACF. The current balance in the fund is $118 million; $2 million
was spent on preliminary design work.
He addressed the Regional Transportation Plans which includes
AMHS and MTAB involvement. He explained his efforts to make sure
that MTAB had the proposed SETP and will have the draft plan
when it comes out.
1:50:39 PM
SENATOR MENARD voiced appreciation for the slide depicting the
entire AMSH fleet. She requested information about the cost of
the AMHS fleet by individual ferry.
MR. NEUSSL said he would pass the appreciation along to his
staff. He reviewed the cost of the ships. The Matanuska,
Malaspina, and Taku were all appropriated using a general
obligation bond for $15 million. The Matanuska and Malaspina
were eventually lengthened to provide more capacity. He pointed
out that the Tustumena is a unique vessel that serves ports that
can only be served by that type of ship.
SENATOR MENARD talked about the high cost of icebreakers.
SENATOR HUGGINS complimented the commissioner and his team. He
spoke in favor of the idea of planning beyond 20 years. He
suggested a statewide view of SETP. He stated his support for
the ferry system and the Alaska Class Ferry. He stated that
Senator Menard is working on building a bridge, also a part of
the state infrastructure. He shared a story about the ferry
system and concluded that the transportation system is all one
system and should be supported by the whole state.
SENATOR EGAN noted that AMHS is the highway system in SE Alaska.
He hoped the design for the ACF could be replicated several
times. He opined that the $78 million Mat-Su ferry docked in
Ketchikan was sitting idle and could be put to use.
Senator Joe Thomas joined the meeting.
SENATOR KOOKESH asked for a written response regarding the plans
for the Metlakatla-Saxman landing site. He thanked the
presenters.
1:59:49 PM
At-ease from 1:59 p.m. to 2:01 p.m.
HB 115-NAMING WALTER J. HICKEL EXPRESSWAY
2:01:43 PM
SENATOR KOOKESH announced that the next item before the
committee would be HB 115, which would designate a portion of
Minnesota Drive and O'Malley Road in Anchorage the Walter J.
Hickel Expressway.
YASMINE HABASH, staff, Representative Craig Johnson, sponsor of
HB 115, presented the bill on behalf of the sponsor. She
explained that CSHB 115(TRA) will concurrently name a 7.5 mile
portion of Minnesota Drive and O'Malley Road the Walter J.
Hickel Expressway. No establishments will have to change their
addresses. She related that throughout Walter J. Hickel's
career, he served as Alaska's governor twice, as U.S. Secretary
of Interior under President Nixon, and advocated for the
development of the State of Alaska and the Circumpolar Arctic
Region. In his many elected and public roles, he successfully
pushed to open Prudhoe Bay to oil development and oversaw
permitting process for the Trans Alaska Pipeline. He concluded
that naming the section of road after Mr. Hickel was fitting, as
he was a great advocate for public roads and transportation.
SENATOR EGAN said he was in favor of the bill; however, he
suggested lowering the fiscal note.
2:04:24 PM
KIRK WICKERSHAM, representing himself, testified in support of
HB 115. He stated that it was appropriate that Governor Hickel
be honored in a very visible public way because he was an
advocate, creator, and student of public policy. He stressed
Governor Hickel's role in "owner state". He highlighted Governor
Hickel's many achievements. He hoped the new signs naming the
highway the Hickel Expressway were larger than the current
signs.
2:07:12 PM
SENATOR KOOKESH closed public testimony.
SENATOR MENARD moved to report CS for HB 115, version B, from
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHB 115(TRA) was
reported from the Senate Transportation Standing Committee.
HJR 4-CONST. AM: TRANSPORTATION FUND
2:08:42 PM
CHAIR KOOKESH [announced the consideration of HJR 4.]
REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY WILSON, sponsor of HJR 4, introduced the
bill. She that Alaska, like the rest of the country, is
challenged with maintaining, upgrading, and creating new
transportation infrastructure. There is a serious shortfall in
funding for transportation which is intensified by new federal
reauthorization bill. She voiced concern about losing up to 50
percent of federal funding.
She related that in 2005, the United States was ranked number
one in the world for transportation; currently it is not even in
the top ten. She maintained that Alaska needs to shoulder more
of the responsibility for funding transportation infrastructure.
She suggested a simple but serious change to Alaska's
constitution, HJR 4, which would dedicate the Alaska
Infrastructure Transportation Fund (ATIF). She pointed out that
the drafters of Alaska's Constitution were concerned with
dedicated funds that might impair future legislatures from
responding to evolving public needs. However, she noted that two
dedicated transportation funds were grandfathered in, one for
highways, and one for harbors and water facilities.
She stated that HJR 4 would allow future legislatures to respond
to current public needs and have the flexibility to define what
user fees will be dedicated to the fund, what projects can be
funded, and how the fund would be managed. She maintained that
the state needs a reliable revenue stream, independent from the
federal government.
She listed a three-step process as to how the dedicated fund
would be used in conjunction with current funding to improve
transportation infrastructure. She spoke of her vision of how
the proposed funding would be capitalized with $1 billion, with
$100,000 million a year to be spent on state-funded projects.
The money would come from 50 percent of the revenues collected
from the previous fiscal year, plus a percent of market value of
ATIF, making sure that not more than 7 percent is averaged over
the last five years. The legislature would also continue to fund
transportation as it is currently funded.
2:14:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON listed user fees that would be used toward
ATIF: motor fuel tax, studded tire tax, license and registration
fees, and vehicle rental tax. A panel would determine which
projects would be funded.
She stressed that state-funded programs would lead to quicker
completion of projects, saving time and money. She noted letters
of support for ATIF in members' packets. She concluded that the
fund is needed in order to create and maintain a modern
transportation system in Alaska.
2:16:41 PM
SENATOR KOOKESH closed public testimony.
SENATOR HUGGINS voiced concern about throwing money at projects
the way funding is currently done. He appreciated the listing of
the four elements of the plan and the savings in time and money.
He testified in support of the resolution because the
legislature determines the details of the funding. He suggested
expending $200 billion to set up ATIF.
2:18:25 PM
SENATOR KOOKESH recalled fighting for a constitutional amendment
on subsistence. He said he supports constitutional amendments in
general.
SENATOR EGAN moved to report CSHJR 4(RLS) from committee with
individual recommendations and the attached fiscal notes. There
being no objection, CSHJR 4(RLS) was reported from Senate
Transportation Standing Committee.
2:19:30 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Kookesh adjourned the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee at 2:19 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 4-3-2012 Senate Transportation Comittee.pptx |
STRA 4/3/2012 1:00:00 PM |
DOT/AMHS/MTAB southeast plan overview |